SIERRA COUNTY, N.M. − The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be hosting an informal public information meeting to discuss the upcoming remedial investigation at the former Deming Precision Bombing Range No. 24, which is located 25 miles southwest of Truth or Consequences. During World War II, bombardier pilots stationed at Deming Army Airfield conducted day and nighttime practice bombing on the range.

The purpose of the investigation is to identify the type, characteristics and extent of military munitions that may remain on approximately one thousand acres of desert that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the State of New Mexico. The investigation findings will aid the Corps of Engineers in the development of a remediation plan to protect human health and the environment from potential hazards associated with any remaining munitions on the site.

A public meeting to discuss the planned investigation activities will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 2201 F.G. Amin Street in Truth or Consequences. In addition to an informational poster display, Corps of Engineers representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the former Deming Precision Bombing Range No. 24.

Since military munitions may still be present on the former bombing range, the Corps of Engineers encourages visitors to follow the 3Rs of Explosives Safety:

Recognize when you may have come across a munition, and that munitions are dangerous;

Retreat – do not approach, touch, move or disturb a suspect munition, but carefully leave the area; and

Report immediately what you found to the Bureau of Land Management or local law enforcement.

For more information about the public information meeting or the Corps of Engineers’ investigation activities, please contact Elizabeth M. Lockyear, public affairs specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, at 505-342-3106 or by email at Elizabeth.M.Lockyear@usace.army.mil.